Focal plane shutter



J. MIHALYI FOCAL PLANE SHUTTER Dec. 13, 1938.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 13, 1937 FIGJ.

Joseph M%%W Dec. 13, 1938. J. MIHALYI FOCAL PLANE SBUT'IER Filed Nov. 15, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 60 66 b2 79 gags/74135510122 75 135 Z50 75 77 FIG. 6.

Joseph Mihalyi INVENTOR W 4 BY M7Zfi2m ATTORNEYS Dec. 13, 1938. J MlHALYl 2,140,446

FOCAL PLANE SHUTTER Filed Nov. 13, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG].

Joseph Ml'hd y INVENTOR ATTORN YS Dec. 13, 1938. J. MIHALYI I 2,14Q,446

FOCAL PLANE SHUTTER Filed Nov. 13, 1937 5 SheetsSheet 5 I I 1 I l I I J Joseph Mihag i INVENTOR MfKW ATTORNEY-S Patented Dec. 13, 1938 PATENT OFFICE FOCAL PLANE SHUTTER Joseph Mihalyi, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation or New Jersey Application November 13, 1937, Serial No. 174,443

23 Claims.

This invention relates to photography, and more particularly to focal plane or curtain type of shutter for cameras.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a camera with a shutter release which reduces the possibility of jarring the camera by the operation of the shutter release to a minimum. Another object is to provide a shutter release in which the shutter is released by releasing pressure upon the release button. An-

other object of my invention is to provide a shutter of the kind described in which a downward pressure on the release sets the shutter and a release of pressure releases the shutter. An-

other object of my invention is to provide a shutter of the type described in which very fast as well as extremely slow exposures can be, made automatically. Still another object is to provide a shutter of the type described in which the start of a selected exposure may be delayed for various predetermined times. Another object is to provide a focal plane shutter in which'a single retarding device is used for both producing slow automatic'exposures-and producing delayed exposures. Another object of my invention'is to provide a shutter with a trigger which can only actuate the shutter when the mechanism is fully wound. Still another object of my invention is to provide a shutter with a wide range of utility and with simple control members and other objects will appear from the following specifications,- the novel features being particularly pointed out in the claims at the end thereof.

Coming now to the drawings wherein like referonce characters denote like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a camera equipped with a shutter constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view approximately on line 2-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation on a reduced scale, of the camera shown in Fig. 1, part of the back being broken away to show some interior parts.

Fig. .4 is a fragmentary enlarged part section and part plan view showing some of the operating parts in wound position, ready to be released. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the relation of the parts after the operating button has been depressed.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged section and part elevation approximately on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a group of operating parts, set for a shutter speed of second.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7 showing the parts set for operation at 1 second.-

i Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section 0 line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail of a clutch member. 5

Fig. 11 is an enlarged part plan and part sectional view of a group of parts just after the release button has been depressed for an exposure shorter than second.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 showing the i0 delayed exposure action mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a vertical section of the retarding gear train assembly.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary section on the line 14-44 of Fig, 7. 15

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary plan view of a latch member and associated parts, the shutter being wound.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the same parts shown in Fig. 15, with additional exposure regulating 20 members, the shutter being unwound or released. a

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic elevation of the shutter curtains when the shutter is wound.

Fig. 18 is a similar view showing the shutter 26 slit or established aperture passing over the exposure aperture of a camera; and

Fig. 19 is also a diagrammatic elevation similar to Figs. 17 and 18, the shutter curtains occupying the relation they will assume as the curtain aper- 30 tures are in register with the exposure aperture.

Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic top plan view showing the relation of the shutter members and the relation of the roller supports.

Brief general description In accordance with my invention a camera may be provided with a'curtain shutter consisting of two parts each of which may'move independently In normai operation one depression 40 of a release button causes one curtain to move to form a slot and upon releasing the button the second curtain moves with the first across the exposure aperture to make an exposure. The shutter curtains and film may be rewound to- 45 gether eliminating double exposures. The shutter may be released only when the shutter is completely wound. A single retarding. device may be used either for delaying the start of an exposure or delaying the duration of an exposure 50 or both. At each operation of the shutter as a fresh area of film is presented for exposure there is a counter which indicates the number of exposures made- While in the illustrated embodiment a minia- I ture type of camera is shown and described obviously any size offilm and camera can be used. Since the camera button or trigger is released rather than pushed to make an exposure as in the known types of cameras there is but little chance of shaking the camera.

Showing in drawings In view of ,the small size of the parts the drawings show, mostly on enlarged scales, many- Illustrated embodiment The shutter embodying the present invention is illustrated as applied to a camera of the miniature type, which is shown in plan view in Fig. 1, and which has a body adapted to hold roll film, a focusing lens assembly 2|, a supply spool 22 and a windup spool 23 for the film F which has edge perforations P (Fig. 3).

Built up from the top- 24 of the camera body 20 is a chamber or housing 25 that contains parts of the shutter mechanism and timing controls, and which, on its top 26, has a disc 21 by which the operator may select certain speeds, and a second disc 28 for selecting other'and slower speeds. An exposure recorder or counter, indicated generally by the numeral 29, is located in the center of the housing 25. Suitable range and view finders 30, with adjusting and compensating controls, indicated 3i, also may be arranged in the housing 25, but these units form no part of the present invention.

Curtain structure When the shutter'is wound, both curtains that constitute the shutter proper are rolled around their respective rollers, hereinafter designated as windup rollers which receive the curtains in the wound and set position.

These curtains are shown, somewhat, diagrammatically, in Figs. 17, 18, and 19, and are designated FC to represent the front curtain, or the one nearest the camera lens, and RC, the ourtain nearest to the camera back. The curtain FC has an aperture CA, equivalent to the exposure frame A of the camera, while the curtain RC has an edge E adapted to cooperate with aperture CA to produce a variable width movable slit as will be presently described. Curtain PC has a foot roller 34 which is constantly urged counterclockwise to wind the curtain thereon (viewed from the top of the camera) by an internal spring, not shown, in the manner commonly em ployed in curtain shutters, whereby the curtain is carried across the exposure frame of the camera when released. Curtain RC is similarly pulled and rolled around another foot roller 35.

At the left side of the exposure aperture A of the camera is a shaft 40 to which narrow spools 39 are pinned (Figs. 2 and 18). These spools are adapted to receive ribbons R, attached to curtain RC at itsedge E. The lower spool 39 carried a clutch disc 4| adapted to frictionally engage a toothed clutch member 42 that projects into a recess in the windup roller 38. The latter is adapted to receive the curtain PC when the winding or setting mechanism is operated. A ball bearing 43 at the top of the lower recess in roller 38 carries the weight of this roller so that it may rotate with minimum friction. The upper end of roller 38 also is recessed for balls 45, which constitute-an anti-friction bearing between upper spool 39 and the roller 33.

A holding ratchet 41, having two teeth or shoulders and (see Figs. 4, 5, and 11) is fixed to the top of shaft 40. A latch, later to be described, cooperates with this ratchet to hold or release the rear curtain RC by reason of the connection of the latter to the shaft 40 through the spools 39.

Film wind and shutter setting The roller 38, (Fig.-2) connected to the shaft 40 only through the friction clutch members 4-' and 42, is controlled through suitable driving and holding means between a gear 5| which is part of roller 38, and a manual winding crank or lever 33 on the back of the camera (Fig. 3). This crank is mounted on a shaft 44 that extends through the camera back and carries a ratchet 36, constantly engagedby a pawl I'Lthe latter being mounted on the back of a crown gear 32. This crown gear, being free on the shaft 44, will be turned counterclockwise whenever the crank 33 is swung to the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 3. One or more of such movements accomplishes a complete winding of the shutter curtains, and so fully "sets the shutter. This structure is more completely described in my copending application Serial No. 137,483 filed April 17, 1937.

The crown gear 32 meshes with a spur gear 52 (Figs. 2 and 3) that is pinned to a shaft 53. Sprockets 54, spaced to engage perforations P in the film F, are also attached to shaft 53. These elements are so proportioned that movement of the crank 33 above mentioned will cause the shaft 53 to make one complete revolution, and the film F will be advanced one frame. The film windup spool 23 is driven from. gear 52 through a gear train 55 and an overrunning clutch, not shown, to maintain the required film tension.

Certain parts of the mechanism, as will be clear by reference to Figs. 6, l2, and 16 are connected to or pivoted on a plate M, set on posts above the top wall 24 of the camera; For clearness, this plate has been omitted in; all of the plan views of the drawings.

Shutter mechanism The shaft 53 (Figs. 2, 4) has, an extension II to which is fixed a holding ratchet 51, having a shoulder 58. A pawl 60, pivoted at 62, is normally held in engagement with shoulder 53 by a spring 6|. The pivot 62 is a stud set into and extending downwardly from a gear 63, this gear being freely revoluble on shaft 58-, so that if this shaft and the ratchet 51 are rotated clockwise (Fig. 4) as they will be whenever the winding lever 33 is moved as in Fig. 3, the pawl 60 and the gear 63 are rotated clockwise also, and gear 63, through idler gears and 65, drives gear 5 I and therefore the curtain roller 38' in a clockwise direction to wind up both the front curtain FC directly, and the rear curtain RC through the friction disc clutchv 4|, into the relative positions diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 17. To this end, a lever 63, hereinafter referred to as a latch." lever (Fig. 11),is pivoted atil and has a shoulder or projection 68 adapted to intercept the shoulder 50 on ratchet 41 and thus to hold the shaft 46 and the spools 39, when wound, against counterclockwise rotation and preventing the rear curtain RC from passing over the exposure aper-. ture A.

The end of the latch lever 66 shown at the left in Figs. 2, 4, and 11 is turned up and toward the right and has a rounded portion 69. The lower portion of lever 66 has a slot 10, and a stationary pin 1| serves as a guide and a stop for limiting the swing of said lever.

Above lever 66 is a part 12, hereinafter designated as the release lever and this part is pivoted at 13. The function of lever 12 is primarily to disengage the latch lever 66 from the shoulder 50, but several other functions and movements of parts are accomplished as the release lever swings to left and right about the pivot 13.

Operating button for setting slot The operating button or trigger 14, which is conveniently located so that it may be pressed by the operators left index finger, is slidably mounted (Figs. 1, 3, and 6) at the upper left corher of the camera. A downward pressure on this trigger swings a bellcrank 15 about a pivot 16, against the action of a spring 15a, and through a link 11 that connects said bellcrank with an upturned lug 18 on the release lever 12; pulls the latter toward the left and into the position indicated -'in Fig. 5. At this point a lug 19 on lever 12 rests against shoulder 49 on holding ratchet 41, so that the latter cannot move counterclockwise even though latch 66 is disengaged from shoulder 50, as it is immediately, through means to be described. Ratchet 41, which is substantially integral with spools 39, cannot turn, and therefore curtain RC cannot move across exposure aperture A, until the operator lifts his finger from button 14. The spring 15a tends at all times to raise the button 14, by acting on bellcrank 15 (Fig. 6) and therefore tends to move release lever 12 to the right.

Ratchet 51, fixed to shaft 56, although turned clockwise by the movement of winding crank 33 as previously described, cannot move counterclockwise at any time, because of a pawl 88 pivoted on the underside of the camera top 24, that constantly engages a ratchet 81 also fixed to shaft 56 (Fig. 2). As button 14 is depressed, lever 12 is moved to the position of Fig. 5, whereupon a lug 82 on said lever strikes the right end of pawl 69, releasing the hooked end of the pawl from shoulder 58. Under the pull of the foot roller 34, the curtain roller 38 rotates counter-clockwise, and through the gears 5|, and 64 the gear 63 will be turned counter-clockwise also. A lug 19 on release lever 12 at this time obstructs shoulder 49 on ratchet 41, preventing shafts'46 and 40 from rotating counter-clockwise. Curtain RC is *thus held against movement.

The depression of button 14 results in the es-,

tablishment of the slit or gap between the edge E of the curtain RC and the edge G of curtain FC, (Fig. 18) in accordance with an exposure speed selected by the operator.

Speed selector Referring ilrst to Figs. 1, 2, and '1, the primary speed selector starts with a revoluble indexed disc 21. This disc has a stud 88 extending through the top 26 of housing 25 (Fig. 2) to which is fixed a disc 89 having a cam slot 98 best shown in Fig. 'I. A pin 9|, cooperating with this slot, is fixed in an arm 92, hereinafter mentioned as the selector member, pivoted at 93. The free end of selector member 92 may engage (Fig. 11 an upturned forked end 94 on alever 95, hereinafter designated as an interceptor, that is pivoted at 96 on a bellcrank 91. The latter may be rotated about its own pivot 98 against the action of a spring 91a. This spring constantly tends to 5 rotate the bellcrank 91 clockwise (Figs. 15 and 16) about the pivot 98 and thus to press a pin 99 that projects downward from one end of said bellcrank, into contact with the periphery of a cam Hill, which is attached to the gear 63. The 10 left end I 92 of the interceptor member 95 lies in the plane of lug 69 on latch member 66.

During the counter-clockwise rotation of gear 63 and cam I98 after pawl 68 has been disengaged from shoulder 63 on ratchet 51, bellcrank 5 91 is turned by its spring 910 and maintains pin 99 in contact with the cam periphery, which said pin will follow the other end of the bellcrank 91 on which interceptor lever 95 is mounted moves toward the back of the camera, carrying intergo ceptor 95 bodily in the same direction. The forked end 94 of the interceptor is arrested as it, strikes selector 92, and its opposite end 12 is thus caused to swing toward the back of the camera. When end I62 strikes the upturned end 95 69 of latch 66 the latter is swung counter-clockwise about its pivot 61 until shoulder 68 slips off from shoulder 50 on ratchet 41. The latter movement would then leave shaft 46 free to rotate under the pull of foot roller 36, but as the lug 19 so on lever 12 is at this time blocking such rotation by engaging shoulder 49, the rear curtain cannot move. a

The front curtain F0 is also stopped at th point (after having moved sumciently to estab- 35 lish the slit S) by a pawl 83, which, under the pressure of a spring 83a, engages a ratchet that is part of gear 64 (Figs. 2, 4 and 5). The pawl 93 is normally unable to engage the ratchet 85 because the rearwardly extending leg of latch lever 4 66 abouts an upturned lug on the tail of the pawl. As lever 66 is turned as above described, said leg moves to the right, and the pawl 83 may engage the ratchet 85 as shown in Fig. 11, thereby stopping cam Illlland the gear train connecting it to 45 roller 38.

The two curtains are now held against movement as long as the operator keeps the button 14 depressed, curtain FC being held by pawl 83 as just described, (through the gears 64, 65 and 5|), 5

and curtain RC being held by the lug 19 on lever 12. No exposure will be made until the button 14 is released.

As the operator raises his finger, lever 12 moves to the right, withdrawing lug 19 from shoulder 55 49. Simultaneously, an extension 86 of lever 12 strikes 9. lug 81 on pawl 83 and the latter is swung against the pressure of spring 830.,- out of engagement with ratchet 85. Both curtains FC and RC,

thus freed from their respective detents, are 5 pulled across the aperture A by the foot rollers 34 and 35, the, exposure being made through slit S.

Automatic exposures On exposures of & second it is necessary that 55 the'fully wound position, or from the relative positions of Figs. 4 and 1'1. The proportions of the parts above described are such that when the selector 92 has been moved to the & location, it will be close against the forked end 94 of the member 95, 'so that the end 94 will not move at I5 -slot I08 to permit longitudinal movement.

all when the. bellcrank 9! begins to'turn about the pivot 88. The result of this is that pawl 88 is disengaged from the ratchet 85 at the same instant that latch 66 is pushed away from ratchet 81. Both curtains then move together and the full aperture CA passes across camera aperture A and makes the required exposure.

For speeds slower than & such as V5. /2, and 1 second, a retarding mechanism is introduced, which is controlled by movement of the dial indicator 28. For the above speeds, the dial 21 is set at V and the dial 28 may be set at the selected slower speed.

A pin I05, (Fig. 16) eccentrically mounted in dial 28, projects through the housing top 28 and engages a lever I06, pivoted at I01 and having a viously, as pin I05 describes a circle, indicated at K in Figs. '7, 8, and 16, in being moved tovarious positions, the right end of I06 will be moved forward or backward or from right to left, and will therefore cause a pin I05 in said right end to assume various positions. The pin I09 constitutes a stop for a hooked member. IIO that is pivoted at ill and is constantly urged downwardly and toward the right by. a spring H2. Member I I0, hereinafter referred to as the driver, carries at its free end a rack II8 that is pivoted at II8. This rack is adapted to engage a ratchet II5, mounted on an intermediate member of a gear train I I6. This train is governed or retarded by a pallet I II, the whole train being mounted in a frame I58 attached to the top wall 28 of the camera.

An arm II8, pivoted at H8, is urged counterclockwise by a spring I20 so that its free end at I2I normally contacts a curved portion I22 on the free end of driver IIO. Inasmuch as spring I I2 constantly forces driver I I0 toward the right, the latter is normally spaced away from ratchet I I5. Spring I20 is stronger'than spring II2.

When the release lever 12 is swung to the left as button I8 is pressed, a hook I28 on said lever engages a square pin I25 on the end of arm H8 and thereby swings this arm to the left so that pin I25 is caught and held by a spring latch I26, pivoted at I21. Thus the end I22 of driver H0 is no longer obstructed and may be moved to the left against the action of spring I I2.

When the button 18 is released, with the parts set as above described, the curtain FC moves a sufficient distance to bring aperture CA into register with camera'exposure aperture A. This is accomplished in exactly a half revolution of cam I00. The square pin IN on gear 83 then contacts an abutment I28 on driver H0 and forces the entire driver toward the left (the pivot end being slotted as shown in Fig. '7) thus bringing rack 3 into engagement with ratchet II5. This movement of the driver IIO toward the left also causes its free end I22 to contact the free end of latch I26 and to disengage the latter from pin I25. Arm H8 is then swung counterclockwise by its spring H9 into contact with end I22 but cannot move driver IIO toward the right because of the continuing effort of pin IOI to force it to the left.

The pressure of arm II8 does, however, result in moving driver IIO forwardly, so that rack H3 traverses ratchet H5 and revolves the gear train as fast as permitted by pallet III. The movement of the gear train permits rack II3 to be carried forwardly until driver III] has moved to apoint where the abutment I28 will slip off from pin IOI, at which point the cam I00 under the pull of the curtain spring in foot roller 88 completes its revolution, and curtain FC closes camera aperture A, placing the shutter in condition for rewinding. Spring II2 then forces driver IIO toward the right, where rack H8 is again free from ratchet II5. The pin IOI, and therefore the pawl 60, have thus been returned to the starting point -(one complete revolution) and the pawl 60 is again in engagement with shoulder 58 on ratchet 51.

Time exposures In operating the shutter for time exposures, the button .18 must be pressed and released, then pressed and released again. When the dial 28 is set for T the pin I05 has been moved to its farthest travel toward the right, as shown in fragmentary view, Fig. 16. In this position, the downtumed end I28 of regulating lever I06 abuts an upstanding lug I81 on rack H3 and prevents the latter from engaging the ratchet I I5 at any point in theoperation of the shutter.

When the shutter is wound and ready for release, with the parts set for time" exposures as above described, the first pressure of button 18 moves releaselever 12 and frees pawl 60 from shoulder 50 of ratchet 51 as in higher speed operations, and curtain FC passes over aperture A. -Pin IOI strikes abutment I28 and thus aperture CA stops over exposure aperture A, as in Fig. 19. (Dial 21 must be set for so that the interceptor lever 85 cannotinterfere.) In moving the regulator I08 to farthest right position, a portion I38 thereon contacts a-lug I38 on the lever H8 and swings the latter clockwise against the action of spring I20, so that pin I25 rests in latch I26. The end I2I of H8 then cannot-interfere with movement of driver I I0 toward the left.

A downtumed lug I on driver I I0 is so located that when the latter is in its normal position an end projection I on release lever 12 will pass said lug when the release lever is moved to the left as button 18 is pressed. After button 18 is released, the pin IOI has pushed driver IIO to the left (as in Fig. 8) the lug I80 will lie in the path of travel of end I. On the second pressure of button 18 this part I strikes lug I80, thus pushing the driver I I0 forwardly against the action of spring II2, carrying the abutment I28 I past the pin-l0l. The cam I00 is then free to complete the second half of its revolution as soon as button I8 is released. It is to be understood that curtain FC can never complete its movement and close aperture A until release lever 12 has swung to the right as the operator removes his finger from button I8. This movement then permits end 86 of the release lever to disengage pawl 88 from ratchet leaving curtain FC free to be wound on foot roller 88. This latter holds true for all conditions of operation.

Delayed action The shutter as illustratedherewith is also provided with a delayed action mechanism, whereby the operator may set the shutter and release the operating button, but the shutter will not be released until several seconds have elapsed, thus permitting the operator to take his own picture.

The gear train II8 as shown in. the sectional 7 view, Fig. 13; has at one point a. gear I88 that is freely revoluble on a shouldered portion of a pinion I88. The latter is driven by a gear I88 that is mounted on a shaft I50. At the top of shaft I 50 is a pinion I5I secured thereto, and

meshing with a similar pinion I52. A crank I53 (Fig. 9) on the top of the housing 26 is fixed to pinion I52, and when swung from the position indicated in Fig. l to that indicated in Fig. 1, acts through the shaft I 50 to wind a spiral spring I54, one. end of which is attached to the shaft,

I50, the other end being attached to a stationary casing I55 which is fixed on the frame I56 that serves as a mounting for the .entire gear train.

When the spring I54 is wound as aforesaid, the pinion I48 is rotated counterclockwise (viewed from above). A spring washer I46, (Fig. 10) is staked to the shank of pinion I48 and therefore revolves with it, so that two toothlike portions I 41 of the washer I46, which in effect constitute a double pawl, will pass over ratchet teeth I45 on the underside of gear I44. If now, the spring I54 is released, which may be accomplished as later described, the driving energy of the spring will be transmitted through gear I49, pinion I48 and washer I46, the teeth I41 of which will then engage the ratchet teeth I45 and will drive the gear I44 in a counterclockwise direction, and this gear will drive the rest of the train I I6, through to the governing pallet II 1. The extent to which the spring I54 is wound, or the are through which the operator moves the crank arm I53 in setting the delayed action determines the length of time the gear train will run and the relative speed of shaft I50. A fullwinding may run as much as 15 or 20 seconds depending on the design of the various members'of the train.

' Slow automatic exposures It is to be understood that the driver I I0, when acting against the ratchet II as previously described in connection with exposures of 5, A; etc. only moves the portion of the gear train II6 that is between washer I46 and pallet H1. The gear I44 under this condition rotates counterclockwise, so that the teeth I45 on its under side pass freely over the spring ends I41 of the washer I46.

The manner in which the retarded movement of shaft I50 is employed to cooperate with the shutter release mechanism, whereby the latter is permitted to move and release the shutter at the end of the gear train operation, is as follows: Fixed on the shaft I50, under pinion I5I, is a cam I51, (Fig. 11) of generally semi-circular form, and having one substantially radial edge I58 that is beveled on its underside, and another edge I59, not beveled, that is, in the present structure, approximately 200 degrees of are from edge I58. -At the unwound position of the delayed-action mechanism, the beveled edge I58 lies adjacent to an arm I60 that extends to the right and is part of release lever 12. As the operator moves the crank I53 clockwise, thus winding spring I54, the cam I51 rotates counterclockwise and the beveled edge I58 passes over the upturnedend I6I of arm I60. The latter, being springy, will be depressed as the cam I51 rotates, but as soon as the cam has reached the fully wound position (Fig. 7) arm' I60 springs up and its upturned end I6I blocks the cam I51 against rotation clockwise by contacting edge I59, and thus holds the spring I54 in wound condition. When the operator presses the button 14, the release lever 12 is moved to the left, as previously described, and the arm I60 is withdrawn from the edge I59 of the cam. The spring I54 immediately starts the gear train, the cam I51 begins to revolve clockwise, and as the operator releases the button 14 the lever 12 moves to the tions.

and rides along on the semi-circular periphery of the cam, thus preventing the complete return of release lever 12. As the gear train revolves, this relation is maintained until the cam I51 has again reached the position of Fig. 12. The end I6I of arm I60 then slips past the edge I50, the lever 12 completes its return movement, and in so doing, frees pawl 83 from ratchet 85 as previously described to make an exposure.

The bellcrank 91, constantly urged in a clockwise direction about its pivot 98, tends to carry the pin 99 into contact with the periphery of cam I00 at all times. During the unwinding of the shutter this is necessary, in order to release the curtain FC as required to establish the correct slit between edge G of FC and edge E of RC, as previously described. On the clockwise or winding operation however, the pin 99 should be clear of the cam, and therefore a latch is provided, in the form of a bellcrank I65, pivoted at I69 (Fig. 15). A pin I64, projecting upwardly from cam I00 (Figs. 2, 15, and 16) strikes the edge I66 of one arm of the latch I65 (Fig. 15) when the shutter is wound, and throws the other arm of the latch, which carries a hook I68, away from the cam. As the cam I00 makes one revolution counterclockwise on the release movement, the pin I64 strikes the edge I61 and swings the member I65 to the position of Fig. 16, so that hook I68 lies in front of pin 99 and prevents spring 91a from pressing said pin toward the cam. Pin 99 is thus-held out from the cam until the shutter is again rewound, or until the cam is turned a full revolution clockwise, to the position of Fig. 15.

. Exposure counter As the film F is advanced one frame each time the winding crank 33 is fully operated, by means of the sprockets 54, a recorder or exposure counter 29 is embodied in the camera which is operated automatically. This counter (Figs. 1 and 9) includes a calibrated dial I30, mounted in a suitable coverplate I3I and having ratchet teeth I32 on its under side corresponding to the calibra- A knob I33 projecting above the coverplate I3I permits resetting of the dial manually.

Step by step rotation of the dial I30 is accomplished by a hook I34 on a slidable bar I35 that is suitably guided on the top 24 of the camera. A lug I36 projects upwardly from this bar and is so located that it will be struck by the square pin IOI. This pin strikes the right side of lug I36 when the shutter is woundi. e., when the ratchet 51, carrying pawl 60 with it, has been rotated 360 clockwise. This carries the slide bar I35 toward the left, so that hook I34, in engagement with one of the teeth I32, rotates dial I30 the space of one tooth, or one index numeral. When the shutter is released, and gear 63 and pawl 60 have rotated 360 counterclockwise, the pin IOI strikes the left side of lug I36 and moves slide bar I35 to the right a suflicient distance to engage the next ratchet tooth of dial I30. The slide bar I35 rests in this position until the shutter is again wound.

Summary of operation It should be noted that unless the shutter is fully wound no exposure can be made, as only in the'fully wound condition will the pawl 60 be so located that it may be disengaged from ratchet 51 by the lug 82 on release lever 12.

While the operation of the various parts has been described, the operation of the shutter may be summarized as follows: If an operator desires a rapid exposure of say #1000 of a second, dial 2'! is set to this speed. The handle 33 is moved to position a fresh area of film and wind up the shutter curtains. By depressing the trigger or push button 14 one curtain moves a distance necessary to make thedesired slot for the selected exposure and then stop. By releasing the trigger l4 permitting it to move upwardly both ourtains are released so that they may move together across the exposure aperture A, the slot between them remaining constant and causing an exposure to be made. a

If a delayed exposure is desired the handle I53 may be moved to set spring I" and the mechaset the slot .in the shutter and releasing the but-- ton to make the exposure.

With the button 14 described above which is released, instead of depressed as in known shutters, it is quite obvious that all tendency to shake the camera is eliminated since the operator is not overcoming tension on a spring at the instant an exposure is made. The movement of the button through its two paths for setting and re.-'

leasing the shutter can beaccomplishedquickly and easily, and the tendency to, move the camera is eliminated.

I claim: 1. In a shutter for cameras, the combination 4 with two relatively moveable members to define an exposure aperture between them, of power means for moving said members to make an exposure, control mechanism independently cohnected to each member, a shutter trigger for operating said control mechanism for each mem-' ber, the control mechanism and trigger having two paths of movement, one path of movement for causing one relatively moveable member'to move relative to the other under the influence oi the power means for determining the amount of exposure, and a second path ofmovement for causing the power means to move both of the relatively moveable members to make an exposure.

2. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with two relatively moveable members to define an exposure aperture between them, of power means for moving said members to make an exposure, control mechanism independently connected to each member, a shutter trigger for operating said control mechanism for each member, the control mechanism and trigger having two paths of movement, one path oi movement for causingone relatively moveable member to move relative to the other under the influence of nected to'each member;a shutter trigger for opcrating said control mechanism for each memher, the control mechanism and trigger having two paths or movement, one path of movement for causing one relatively moveable member to move relative to the other under the influence of the power means for determining the amount of exposure, and a second path of movement for causing said power means to 'move both of the relatively moveable members to make an exposure, the said two paths of the trigger being in opposite directions. I

4. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with two relatively moveable members to define an exposure aperture between them; of power means for moving said members to make an exposure', control mechanism independently connected to each member, a shutter trigger for operatlng said control mechanism for each member, the control mechanism and trigger having two paths of movement, one path of movement for causing one relatively moveable member to move relative to the other under the influence of the power means for determining the amount of exposure, and a second path of movement for causing said power means to move both of the relatively moveable members to make an exposure, and trigger comprising a push button, a spring tending to hold the push button in a 'raised position whereby said push button may be manually depressed to move it through one downward path of movement and may be released permitting said spring to move it upwardly through its second path of movement to make an exposln'e.

.5, In a shutter for cameras, the combination with a shutter mechanism including a trigger, of relatively moveable members for making an exposure, mechanism operably connected to the moveable members for moving one member relatively to the other ,ior adJusting the time of an exposure, mechanism operably connected to the moveable members for controlling the members to move in unison to make an exposure, and connections between the mechanisms and the trigger for adjusting the relatively moveable members in advance of operating them in unison solely through manual movement of the trigger.

6. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with two curtains; each defining a part oi! a variable exposure aperture, of a spring loaded roller supporting the take-up end of each curtain, a drum, and two spools ooaxially arranged relative to the drum for supporting the other ends oi the two curtains, one by the drum and the other by the spools, a latch for holding the lead curtain against movement, a stop for limiting the lead curtain movement when said latch is released, and a second ,latch adapted to release the follower curtain, said latch being also adapted to move the stop whereby both curtains may -move together to make an exposure.

'1. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with two curtains; each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, oi a spring loaded roller supporting the take-up end of each curtain, a drum, and two spools "coaxially arranged relative to the drum for supporting the other ends of the two curtains, one by the drum and manually operable member for actuating both latches.

8. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with two curtains; each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, of a spring loaded roller supporting the take-up end of each curtain, a drum, and two spools coaxially arranged relative to the drum for supporting the other ends of the two curtains, one by the drum and the other by the spools, a latch for holding the lead curtain against movement, a stop for limiting the lead curtain movement when said latch is released, and a second latch adapted to release the follower curtain, said latch being also adapted to. move the stop whereby I both curtains may move together to make an exposure, and a single manually operable =member forming a trigger, a spring tending to hold the manually operable trigger in one position, said trigger being so connected with both latches as to release the first curtain when said trigger is moved against spring pressure and release both curtains to make an exposure upon being released for movement under the impulse of said spring.

9. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with two curtains, each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, of a pair of rollers, one end of each curtain attached to one of the rollers, a spring in each roller adapted to wind the curtains thereon, a drum supporting the opposite end of one curtain, spools sup-porting the opposite end of the other curtain, gearing and a pawl and ratchet tooth connecting the drum and spools, said pawl being pivotally mounted on one of said gears and adapted to engage said ratchet tooth connected to another of said gears to operably connect the drum and spools, a trigger having a path of movement, the end of said pawl projecting into the path of and being operable by said trigger to disconnect the two curtains, whereby one may move relative to the other.

10. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with twocurtains, each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, of a pair of rollers, one end of each curtain attached to one of the rollers, a spring in each roller adapted to wind the curtains thereon, a drum supporting the opposite end of one curtain, spools supporting the opposite end of the other curtain, gearing and a pawl and ratchet tooth connecting the drum and spools, said pawl being pivotally mounted on one of said gears and adapted to engage said ratchet tooth connected to another of said gears to operably connect the drum and spools, a trigger having a path of movement, the end of said pawl projecting into the path of and being operable by said trigger to disconnect the two curtains, whereby one may move relative to the other, a time duration setting device, mechanism under the control of said time setting device 1' or controlling the movement of one curtain relative to the other, whereby said curtains may be positioned to define a predetermined exposure.

11. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with two curtains, each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, of a pair of rollers, one end of each curtain attached to one of the rollers, a spring in each roller adapted to wind the curtains thereon, a drum supporting the opposite end of one curtain, spools supporting the opposite end of the other curtain, gearing and a pawl and ratchet tooth connecting the drum and spools, said pawl being pivotally mounted on one of said gears and adapted to engage said ratchet tooth connected o another of said gears to operably connect the drum and spools, a triggerhaving a path of movement, the end oi. said pawl projecting into the path of and being operable by said trigger to disconnect the two curtains whereby one may move relative to the other, a time duration setting device, mechanism under the control of said time setting device for controlling the movement of one curtain relative to the other, saidmechanism including a pawl and ratchet, and means including the trigger for releasing the pawl and ratchet, whereby both ourtains may move simultaneously to make-an exposure.

12. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with two curtains, each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, of a pair of'rollers, one end of each curtain attached to one of the rollers, a spring in each roller adapted to wind the curtains thereon, a drum supporting the opposite end of one curtain, spools supporting the opposite end of the other curtain, mechanism for restraining each curtain against movement, mechanism for connecting the two curtains, said mechanisms each including pawls and ratchets, a trigger moveable through a p: oh, levers connectedto the trigger and including pawl engaging lugs so positioned that by moving said trigger to one position in its path, one curtain is released for movement under the influence of its spring roller and moving said trigger to another position bothcurtains may movetogether under the influence of their spring rollers to make an exposure.

13. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with two curtains, each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, of a pair of rollers, oneend of each curtain attached to one of the rollers,

a spring in each roller adapted to wind the curtains thereon, a drum supporting the opposite end of one curtain, spools supporting the opposite end of the other curtain, mechanism, for restrain ing each curtain against movement, mechanism for connecting the two curtains, said mechanisms each including pawls and ratchets, a trigger moveable through a path, levers connected to the trigger and including pawl engaging lugs so positioned that by moving said trigger to one position in its path, one curtain is released for movement under the influence of its spring roller and moving said trigger to another position both curtains may move together under the influence of their spring rollers to make an exposure, and an adjustable stop for controlling the movement of the first moved curtain to predetermine the exposure.

14. In a shutter for cameras, the combination. with two curtans, each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, of a pair of rollers, one

end of each curtain attached to one of the rollers,

a spring in each roller adapted to wind the curtains thereon, a drum supporting the opposite end of one curtain, spools supporting the opposite end of the other curtain, mechanism for restraining each curtain against movement, mechanism for connecting the two curtains, said mechanisms each including pawls and ratchets, a trigger moveable through a path, levers connected to the trigger and including pawl engaging lugs so positioned that by moving said trigger to one position in its path, one curtain is released for movement under the influence of its spring roller and. moving said trigger to another position both curtains may move together under the influence of their spring rollers to make an exposure, and an I adjustable stop for controlling the movement of the first moved curtain to predetermine the ex.

posure, and a dial for positioning theaddustable stop for predetermining the exposure, said dial and stop including a cam and cam follower.

15. In a shutter for cameraa'the combination tains thereon, a drum supporting the opposite end of one curtain, spools supporting the opposite end of the other curtain, mechanisms-for re- I straining each curtain against movement, mechanism for connecting the two curtains, a trigger operably connected to both of said mechanisms for releasing the same, and means for controlling the movement of one curtain relative to the other after disconnecting the curtains comprising a pivoted interceptor, a selector for controlling the movement of the pivoted interceptor, a cam control for the first curtain, said interceptor carrying a pin adapted to engage said cam, and a pawl and ratchet moveable by the interceptor and con-.- nected to the first curtain for stopping the curtain after a predetermined movement thereof by means of its mechanism released by said trigger.

16. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with two curtains, each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, of a pair of rollers, one end of each curtain attached to one of the rollers, a spring in each roller adapted to wind the curtains thereon, a drum supporting the opposite end of one curtain, spools supporting the opposite end of the other curtain, mechanisms for restraining each curtain against movement, mechanism for connecting the two curtains, a trigger operably connected to both 01' said mechanisms for releasing the same, and means for controlling the movement of one curtain relative to the other after disconnecting the curtains comprising a pivoted interceptor, a selector for controlling the movement of .the pivoted interceptor, a cam control for the first curtain, said interceptor carrying a. pin adapted to engage said cam, and a pawl and ratchet moveable by the interceptor and connected to the first curtain for stopping the curtain after a predetermined movement thereof by means of its mechanism released by said trigger, and means for controlling the movement of both curtains when released by the trigger including a gear train including a ratchet and a swinging lever including a rack adapted to engage said ratchet and move said gears, said spring lever being'positioned in the path of parts of the curtain mechanism to restrain movement theieoi under the impulse of their respective springs.

17. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with two curtains, each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, of a pair of rollers, one

end of each curtain attached to one of the rollers, a spring in each roller adapted to wind the curtains thereon, a drum supporting the opposite end of one curtain, spools supporting the opposite end of the other for restraining ea'ch curtain against movement, mechanism for connecting the two curtains, a trigger operably connected to both of said mechanisms for releasing the same,- and means for controlling the movement of one curtain relative to the other after disconnecting the curtains comprising a pivoted interceptor, a selector for controlling the movement of the pivoted interceptor,

a cam control for the first curtain, said interceptor carrying a pin adaptedto engage said cam, and a pawl and ratchet moveable by the interceptor and connected to the first curtain curtain, mechanisms for stopping the curtain after a predetermined movement thereof by means of its mechanism released by said trigger, and means for controlling the movement of both curtains when released by the trigger including a gear train including a ratchet and a. swinging lever including a rack adapted to engage said ratchet and move said gears, said spring lever being positioned in the path of parts of the curtain mechanism to restrain movement thereof under the impulse of their respective springs, and a dial including an eccentric pin adapted to contact with and position the swinging lever carrying the rack to control the engagement of the rack and ratchet wheel and consequently the time of the exposure.

18. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with two curtains, each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, 01' a pair of rollers, one

end oi. each curtain attached to one of the rollers, a spring in each roller adapted to wind the curtains thereon, a drum supporting the opposite end of one curtain, spools supporting the opposite end of the other curtain, mechanisms for restraining each curtain against movement, mechanism for connecting the two curtains, a trigger'operably connected to both of said mechanisms for releasing the same, and means for controlling the movement of one curtain relative to the other after disconnecting the curtains comprising a pivoted interceptor, a selector for controlling the movement of the pivoted interceptor, a cam control for the first curtain, said interceptor carrying a pin adapted to engage said cam, and a pawl and ratchet movable by the interceptor and connected to the first curtain for stopping the curtain after a predetermined movement thereof by means of its mechanisms released by said trigger, and means for controlling the movement of both curtains when released by the trigger including a gear train including a ratchet and a swinging lever including a rack adapted to engage said ratchet and move said gears, said spring lever being positioned in the path 01 parts or the curtain mechanism to restrain movement thereof under the impulse of their respective springs, a cam having an arcuate portion carried by a gear of said gear train, a spring adapted to be manually tensioned connected to said gear train,- a cam follower interconnected to the trigger to operate the latter after a time interval when said gear train spring is manually set and released to operate said curtain shutter aiteiva time interval.

19. In a shutter for'cameras, thecombination with two curtains, each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, of a pair of rollers, one end of each curtain attached to one of the rollers, a spring in each roller adapted to wind the curtains thereon, a drum supporting the opposite end of'one curtain, spools supporting the opposite end of the other curtain, mechanisms for controlling the movement of the pivoted interceptor, a cam control for the first curtain, said interceptor carryingja pin adapted to engage said cam, and a pawl and ratchet movable by the for stopping the curtain after a predetermined movement thereof by means or its mechanism reinterceptor and connected to the first curtain leased by said trigger, and means forcontrolling the movement of both curtains when released by the trigger including a gear train including a ratchet and a swinging lever including a rack adapted to engage said ratchetand move said gears, said spring lever being positioned in the path of parts of the curtain mechanism to restrain movement thereof under the impulse of their respective springs, a lever for setting the gear train spring the angle of movement of which controls the duration of the time interval.

20. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with two curtains, each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, of a pair of rollers, one end of each curtain attached to one of the rollers, a spring in each roller adapted to wind the curtains thereon, a drum supporting the opposite end of one curtain, spools supporting the opposite end of the other curtain, a shutter trigger, manually operable means for positioning the curtains for exposure and tensioning their respective spring rollers comprising a manually operable member, gearing directly connected to said manually operable member and one curtain, a pawl and ratchet tooth means for connecting one ourtain with the other, said pawl and ratchet tooth being so positioned as to be automatically engaged when said curtains have been moved by making an exposure into a position to be rewound.

21. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with two curtains, each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, of a pair of rollers, one end of each curtain attached to one of the rollers, a spring in each roller adapted to wind the curtains thereon, a drum supporting the opposite end of one curtain, spools supporting the opposite end of the other curtain, a shutter trigger, manually operable means for positioning the curtains for exposure and tensioning their respective spring rollers comprising a manually operable member, gearing directly connected to said manually operable member and one curtain a pawl and ratchet tooth means for connecting one curtain with the other, said pawl and ratchet tooth being so positioned as to be automatically engaged when said curtains have been moved by making an exposure into a position to be rewound, said pawl being pivotally attached to a gear of said gearing and, including an endadapted to lie in the path of said trigger only when said shutter is completely wound or unwound, whereby said shutter cannot be operated at any intermediate position of the curtains.

22. In a shutter for cam-eras, the combination with two curtains, each defining a part of a variable exposure aperture, of a pair of rollers, one end of each curtain attached to one of the rollers, a spring in each roller adapted to wind the curtains thereon, a drum supporting the opposite end of one curtain, spools supporting the opposite end of the other curtain, a shutter trigger, manually operable means for positioning the curtains for exposure and tensioning their respective spring rollers comprising a manually operable member, gearing directly connected to said manually operable member and one curtain, a pawl and ratchet tooth means for connecting one cur-, tain with the other, said pawl and ratchet tooth being so'positioned as to be automatically engaged when said curtains have been moved by making an exposure into a position to be rewound, a pivotal mount for said pawl connected to a gear of said gearing and including a trigger contacting end adapted to lie in the path of the trigger only when the shutter is fully wound or fully unwound, a second pawl and ratchet to hold the shutter winding means against unwinding movement whereby said pawl upon incomplete winding does not lie in the path of the trigger and actuation of the shutter is prevented.

23. In a shutter for cameras, the combination with moveable members adapted to move to make an exposure, of means for moving said members including a power spring, a manually operable member for placing the power spring under tension, a pawl and ratchet for preventing the power spring from moving rearwardly until fully tensioned, gearing including a second pawl and ratchet tooth for holding the power spring in a set position, said pawl being pivotally attached to a gear of said gearing and having only one position in which it may be released, a trigger having a path of movement for releasing the pawl, said pawl lying outside of the path of movement of said trigger when said power spring is only partially wound, whereby premature operation of said latch is prevented.

JOSEPH MIHALYI. 

